Method and apparatus for cooling and preparing a beverage

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for preparing and dispensing a cool beverage and for transporting ice. The apparatus utilizes a heat exchanger for directly contacting water and ice to produce cooled heat exchanger water in the heat exchanger from the water and ice and an outflow of the cooled heat exchanger water. A beverage concentrate flows through a beverage concentrate conduit that is in thermal contact with ice. The beverage concentrate is thus cooled by indirectly contacting the ice to produce an outflow of cooled beverage concentrate. A proportioner and mixer receive the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate, and proportion and mix the outflows to produce a cool, proportioned, mixed beverage, which is dispensed from a dispensing valve. Ice for cooling a beverage is supplied to an upstream portion of a conduit, transported from the upstream portion of the conduit to a downstream portion of the conduit with a moving fluid, separated from the fluid at a downstream portion of the conduit, and the fluid is recirculated to the upstream portion of the conduit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling andpreparing a beverage and for transporting ice for use in cooling abeverage. Particularly, the present invention includes methods andrelated apparatuses for loading an ice bin with ice from a remotelocation, and for cooling water with ice to produce an outflow of cooledwater and for cooling beverage concentrate with ice to produce anoutflow of cooled beverage concentrate, and then mixing the two outflowsin proper proportion.

BACKGROUND ART

Beverage dispensers are commonly used in restaurants and conveniencestores to mix a beverage concentrate with either carbonated ornon-carbonated water, and to cool the mixed beverage. Beverages aretypically considered to be more refreshing when served cold. Therefore,the quality of the mixed beverage that is produced is at least partiallydependent upon the temperature at which the mixed beverage is dispensed.If carbonated water is used, the quality of the mixed beverage isfurther enhanced by obtaining and maintaining a high level ofcarbonation in the water, and by minimizing the amount of flashing orfoaming that occurs when the carbonated water and beverage concentrateare mixed. Since solubility of carbon dioxide is inversely related totemperature, a high level of carbonation can be obtained and maintainedby reducing the temperature of the water prior to carbonation and bymaintaining the reduced temperature of the water aftercarbonation,respectively. Likewise, foaming is minimized by reducing thetemperature of the beverage concentrate to a temperature approximatelyequal to that of the carbonated water prior to mixing.

One of the most popular cooling devices to date is referred to as a coldplate. A cold plate conventionally includes a large block of aluminum,perhaps 20 inches square and 4 inches high. Mounted within the aluminumblock are a series of horizontally coiled stainless steel tubes or otherconduits stacked vertically above each other. Each stainless steel tuberespectively carries a different liquid, such as water or a beverageconcentrate. If carbonation is desired, a separate carbonator isprovided.

To cool the liquids, ice is provided in contact with the upper surfaceof the cold plate while each of the different liquids for the beverageare flowed through a respective tube. The melt runoff from the ice isdrained and discarded.

Hence, the water and beverage concentrates are cooled by heat transferthrough the walls of the stainless steel tube and the aluminum block.After passing through the cold plate, the water and a selected beverageconcentrate are mixed in proper proportion and dispensed from adispensing valve located downstream of the cold plate. The cold plate isoften provided in the bottom of a large container or tank that ismounted in or on a counter top. The cold plate provided an advance overprior arrangements which cooled water and beverage concentratesbyflowing those fluids through unencased conduits in an ice water bath.

Although the cold plate may adequately cool the water and beverageconcentrate, it is an expensive and heavy component. These high costsare partially due to the quantity of aluminum required to construct thelarge solid block, as well as the complexity of fabricating a series oftubes within the block while ensuring that no leaks occur. The size andweight of the cold plate also increases costs and difficulty inconstructing, handling, and shipping dispensers using this coolingsystem.

The cold plate also has cooling inefficiencies. The efficiency of thecold plate is inherently dependent upon the heat transfer rate betweenthe ice and the liquid to be cooled. Therefore, when the concentratetubes are encased in the aluminum block, several walls of aluminum andstainless steel separate the ice and the liquid to be cooled, and theheat transfer rate decreases accordingly. Hence, the tube locatedclosest to the upper surface of the cold plate will be cooled most,while the tube located furthest from the upper surface will be cooledleast. In view of this, the liquid required most, which is typicallycarbonated or non-carbonated water, is prearranged to flow through thetop tube of the cold plate, while the liquid required least flowsthrough the bottom tube of the cold plate.

Since only a limited length of tubing can extend through the cold plate,efficiency also is dependent upon the duration in which the liquid to becooled is held within the cold plate. During periods of peak demand, itis evident that the liquid, particularly carbonated or non-carbonatedwater, will pass through the cold plate much more quickly than duringperiods of low or casual demand. Therefore, the duration in which theliquid passes through the cold plate during peak demand may beinadequate for sufficient cooling to occur. There also can be a coolingproblem when demand is low. The liquid that has already passed throughthe cold plate and is held in the portion of the tube between the coldplate and dispensing valve will not remain cooled for an extended periodof time. Therefore, drinks dispensed during periods of casual demandoften are unsatisfactorily cooled.

An additional concern related to the cold plate is the adverse impact onthe environment due to draining and discarding of the melt runoff fromthe ice or ice/water mixture. Severe droughts and water shortages arerecurring throughout numerous areas of the country and the world. Sincebeverage dispensers are so widely used, the melt runoff discarded bybeverage dispensers significantly wastes a valuable natural resource.

Another conventional cooling apparatus is referred to as a counterelectric. The counter electric utilizes refrigeration to freeze watersurrounding a series of tubes, each carrying a different liquid to becooled. However, this device must rely on a refrigeration unit and isnot capable of dispensing ice into the drink in the typical commercialmanner.

Beverage dispensers also often use ice to cool the components of thebeverage dispenser before dispensing the beverage and also add ice tothe dispensed beverage. Traditionally, ice is supplied to an ice bin inthe beverage dispenser for these purposes by manually carrying ice froman ice maker or the storage area at a remote location to an ice bin inor proximate to the beverage dispenser.

In some situations, the volume of ice needed to cool the beveragesbecomes so great that it is inconvenient or requires an excessive use ofmanpower to carry the ice from a remote location to the beveragedispenser. In such instances, it is desirable to employ an automatedsystem for transporting the ice from the remote location to the beveragedispensers.

A number of attempts have been made to provide an automated icetransport. However, these systems have either exhibited or have thepotential for exhibiting various drawbacks including requiring aundesirable amount of space or geometry, requiring a substantial amountof power, loss of ice mass or breakage, a substantial amount of noiseand air volume, jamming and clogging, blocking and lockup, and theresulting lack of reliability.

One system places the ice dispenser far above the location of thebeverage dispenser and dumps the ice down a conduit which is declined atan angle of about 45°. This arrangement has the drawback of requiringsignificant height in a building, sometimes as much as two stories. Italso has the drawback of having the conduit decline at a substantialangle from the horizontal, further reducing the distance across whichthe ice could be transferred without further vertical clearance.

Another arrangement dumps a batch of ice into one end of a conduit andthen forces the batch of ice to the other end of the conduit with highpressure air. This arrangement has the disadvantage of needing a highpower source of air to push the ice through the conduit. In turn, thiscreates significant noise and rushing of air into the ice bin at thebeverage dispenser. This also has the disadvantage of not being acontinuous process, having ice exiting the conduit at a high speed, alack of reliability and a high percentage of ice meltage.

As such, in light of the various above-mentioned drawbacks ofconventional beverage dispensers, there remains a need for a method andapparatus for more efficiently cooling, preparing, and dispensing a coolbeverage without wasting water and electricity, and for transporting iceto an ice bin from a remote location. Additionally, there remains a needfor reducing the cost, size, and weight of an apparatus for cooling,preparing, and dispensing a cool beverage.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates many of the drawbacks of the priorattempts. The advantages and purpose of the invention will be set forthin part in the description that follows, and in part will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The advantages and purpose of the invention will be realized andattained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointedout in the appended claims.

To achieve these advantages and in accordance with the purpose of theinvention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the presentinvention includes a method and apparatus for cooling, preparing, anddispensing a cool beverage by directly contacting water and ice, coolingthe water and melting the ice, to produce cooled heat exchanger water inthe heat exchanger from the water and ice and an outflow of the cooledheat exchanger water. In addition, beverage concentrate is flowedthrough a conduit in thermal contact with ice or cooled heat exchangerwater, indirectly contacting the beverage concentrate with the ice orcooled heat exchanger water, to cool the beverage concentrate andproduce an outflow of the cooled beverage concentrate. A proportionerand mixer receive the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water and theoutflow of cooled beverage concentrate, and proportion and mix theoutflows to produce a cool, proportioned, mixed beverage. A dispensingvalve controls the dispensing of the cool, proportioned, mixed beverage.

It is preferable to automatically maintain sufficient amounts of waterand ice in the heat exchanger to maintain the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water at a substantially constant temperature independent ofthe rate of outflow. If carbonated beverages are to be produced, acarbonator is provided for carbonating the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water. The carbonator preferably is in heat exchange contactwith the ice or the cooled heat exchanger water for keeping the contentsof the carbonator cool, and includes means for recirculating carbonatedwater from the carbonator. Also preferably included are an agitator foragitating the water and ice in the heat exchanger, and an ice storagebin communicable with the heat exchanger for supplying ice to the heatexchanger.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the beverage concentrateconduit is positioned within the heat exchanger in direct contact withthe cooled heat exchanger water. In accordance with another aspect ofthe invention, the heat exchanger is configured to prevent the beverageconcentrate conduit from directly contacting the cooled heat exchangerwater that is to be outflowed and mixed with the cooled beverageconcentrate.

In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied andbroadly described, the present invention further provides a method andapparatus for transporting ice.

According to an aspect of the invention, ice is supplied to an upstreamportion of a conduit, the ice is transported from the upstream portionof the conduit to a downstream portion of the conduit with a movingfluid. The ice is separated from the fluid at a downstream portion ofthe conduit, and this fluid is recirculated to the upstream portion ofthe conduit.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ice is transported upan ascending conduit with a fluid moving at a first speed, and issubsequently transported with a fluid moving at a second speedsubstantially lower than the first speed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ice is transported inan upward direction and subsequently transported with a moving fluidincluding water.

According to other aspects of the invention it is preferable totransport the ice up an ascending conduit with a fluid jet and down adescending conduit with a moving fluid including water, and to exhaustand recirculate air from an upper portion of the ascending conduit to alower portion of the ascending conduit.

It is to be understood that both the above general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Theaccompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding ofthe invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thespecification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus forcooling, preparing, and dispensing a beverage in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of the presentinvention taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of the apparatus of the presentinvention taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is the sectional side view of the apparatus of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the apparatus is in operation.

FIG. 5 is the sectional front view of the apparatus of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the apparatus is in operation.

FIG. 6 is a sectional front view of an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus in accordance with an additional aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional front view of the additional exemplary embodimentof FIG. 8, taken along line 9--9.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of anapparatus in accordance with yet a further aspect of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a water driven ice transport according to theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an air driven ice transport according to theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the arrangementshown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the arrangementshown in FIG. 11.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to present preferred embodiments ofthe invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method andapparatus are provided for cooling, preparing, and dispensing a coolbeverage. Particularly, the method and apparatus of the presentinvention use ice to directly cool water and indirectly cool a beverageconcentrate, and mix the cooled water and the cooled beverageconcentrate in proper proportion to prepare a cool, proportioned, mixedbeverage. This cool, proportioned, mixed beverage is dispensed from theapparatus for subsequent consumption. An exemplary embodiment of the icedriven system provided by the present invention is illustrated in anarrangement that is supported on a countertop and is shown in FIG. 1, asdesignated generally by reference character 10, for purpose ofexplanation and illustration, and not limitation. The steps of themethod will be described in conjunction with and by reference to theoperation of the apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, water and ice are directlycontacted together in a heat exchanger so as to cool the water and meltthe ice, enhancing and optimizing the heat transfer rate between the iceand water, and efficiently using the cold melt runoff of the ice andsaving about 80-90% of the melt water that is currently discarded incommercially used machines. Together, the water and the ice producecooled heat exchanger water in the heat exchanger, and an outflow of thecooled heat exchanger water.

The quality of the resulting outflow of cooled heat exchanger water alsois enhanced by this process. Typically, commercial ice is more pure thantap water since distillation and purification occurs during freezing.Also, commercial ice makers may distill and purify water prior tofreezing to improve quality. The melt runoff from the ice therefore islikely to be more pure than the tap water that is provided in the heatexchanger. The purer melt runoff thus dilutes the impurities of the tapwater when the two combine to produce the cooled heat exchanger water.The outflow of cooled heat exchanger water ultimately is mixed withbeverage concentrate to produce a cool, proportioned, mixed beverage.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the heat exchanger 50 embodied hereinincludes a heat exchanger tank 52 for maintaining the water and ice indirect contact. Preferably, the walls of the heat exchanger tank 52 aremade of or coated with a thermal insulative material to avoidunnecessary heat or energy loss. The heat exchanger tank 52 issufficiently sized or dimensioned to satisfy the expected demandrequired for the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water. Likewise, theheat exchanger tank 52 is shaped and sufficiently sized or dimensionedto allow this outflow of heat exchanger water to reach a desiredtemperature. These shapes and dimensions therefore will be, at leastpartially, dependent upon the intended use and demand of the apparatus.

An ice inlet 42 is located in an upper portion of the heat exchangertank 52. By locating the ice inlet 42 in the upper portion of the heatexchanger tank 52, constant loading of the ice can be ensured sinceblockage of the inlet is unlikely until the heat exchanger tank 52 isfull. An ice level sensor 43 is also provided to ensure that asufficient amount of ice is maintained in the heat exchanger tank 52throughout operation.

An ice transfer system includes an ice bin 20 located adjacent to andcommunicable with the heat exchanger tank 52, and an ice transfer fordelivering ice from the ice bin 20 to the ice inlet 42 of the heatexchanger tank 52. The ice bin 20 preferably is loaded by an ice makingmachine (not shown) mounted on top. Alternatively, the ice may be loadedmanually. To reduce volume and construction costs, the ice bin 20 isintegrally fabricated with the heat exchanger 50 so as to share a commonwall. The ice bin 20 preferably includes a runoff tube 21 that permitsthe melt runoff from the ice bin to be drained and discarded.

The ice transfer shown in FIGS. 2 through 7 includes a paddle wheel 30mounted on a rotatable shaft 32, which is driven by a motor 34. Aroundthe circumference of the paddle wheel 30 is a continuous series ofcompartments 31, each sized to carry at least one ice cube. As thepaddle wheel 30 is rotated by the motor 34, separate ice cubes arecaptured in the compartments 31 and transferred to an ice dump 36 incommunication with the ice inlet 42. Ice is thus constantly retrievedfrom the bottom of the ice bin 20 and transferred upward. The paddlewheel 30 continues to rotate and deliver ice until the ice level sensor43 transmits a signal to the motor 34 that the desired ice level isreached. Hence, the ice level sensor 43 may include a toggle switch or atimer for controlled ice transfer.

This ice transfer system also may be used to deliver ice to the ice door39 of an ice dispenser 38 for dispensing ice cubes on demand. The icedispenser 38 includes a switch, such as a toggle switch connected to theice door 39 or a separate button switch to be pushed by an operator. Theswitch 37 transmits a signal to the motor 34 to activate the paddlewheel 30. The icedump 36 of the heat exchanger and the ice door 39 ofthe ice dispenser 38 are positioned at different locations. Further, ifthe heat exchanger 50 includes more than one tank, as will be describedbelow, the ice transfer is configured to deliver ice to a separate icedump 36 corresponding to an ice inlet 42 for each heat exchanger tank.By using the ice transfer system, ice is consistently available whenrequired. Alternatively, ice can be made by using a counter electric, sothat in either of these arrangements, ice provides the storage mechanismfor refrigeration and the source of cooling.

The heat exchanger 50 also includes a water inlet 62 from an outsidesource 61, such as a tap water source. The water inlet 62 likewise ispreferably located in the upper portion of the heat exchanger tank 52.In this manner, the risk of blockage due to excessive ice accumulationis minimized by locating the water inlet 62 in the upper portion of theheat exchanger tank 52. Further, any ice accumulation that does occuraround either the water inlet 62 or the ice inlet 42 is effectivelyremoved by the jet stream action of the water introduced through thewater inlet 62.

The preferred location of the water inlet 62 also allows the water thatis introduced to directly contact a greater amount of ice, and thusenhance efficiency. Water introduced in the upper portion of the heatexchanger tank 52 will seek the bottom of the heat exchanger tank 52 dueto gravity. Hence, the height of the heat exchanger 50 can be configuredto direct the water along a path of sufficient length so as to be incontact with the ice a sufficient time to produce an outflow of cooledheat exchanger water at or below a desired temperature. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, this desired temperature is at or belowabout 38° F., and more preferably at or below about 36° F., to enhancethe quality of the beverage that is dispensed.

Alternatively, when space constraints limit the available height of theheat exchanger 50, the flow path of the water can be effectivelyextended to the known length required for producing the desiredtemperature by using an agitator. The agitator recirculates the waterover the ice within the heat exchanger tank 52 until sufficient flowpath length is effectively reached. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, theagitator may include a conventional recirculation pump 70 that drawswater through an intake 71 from the lower portion of the heat exchangertank 52 and recirculates it through a recirculation line 72 to the upperportion of the heat exchanger tank 52. Similarly, the agitator may beused to speed the water cooling process by accelerating contact betweenthe ice and the water, or in conjunction with a thermistor 74 torecirculate water that exceeds a predetermined temperature, as will bedescribed.

To ensure that a sufficient amount of water is in direct contact withthe ice, a water level sensor 64 is also provided within the heatexchanger 50. The water level sensor 64 is connected to a water inletvalve 63 that is located at the water inlet 62 to automatically maintaina desired water level within the heat exchanger tank 52. A water levelrelief outlet 65 also may be provided to prevent the desired water levelfrom being exceeded as shown in FIG. 6.

By providing the ice level sensor 43 and the water level sensor 64, acontrol system may be used to automatically maintain sufficient waterand ice in the heat exchanger So to maintain the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water at a substantially constant temperature, preferably ator below about 36° F. The control system may include the propercombination of a toggle switch or timer that operates as the ice levelsensor and controls the supply of ice, and a float valve that operatesas the water level sensor and controls the water inlet valve 63.Alternatively, more sophisticated electronic equipment may be used ifdesired. Thus, a substantially constant temperature of the cooled heatexchanger water may be maintained independent of the rate of outflow,particularly when a recirculation pump is provided. This enhances thecoldness of the drink for both the casual draw and high demand draw.

Since ice is less dense than water and will float, it is also preferredthat the water level is controlled so ice may be distributed to thelower portion of the heat exchanger tank 52. That is, ice will continueto float on top of the water if insufficient space is available to buildup a significant mass of ice to sink to the lower portion of the heatexchanger tank 52. The water level is therefore preferably maintained atapproximately one half the height of the heat exchanger tank 52.

A water outlet 66 is located at the lower portion of the heat exchangertank 52 for the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water. The outflow ofcooled heat exchanger water from this water outlet 66 is used forproducing the mixed beverage to be dispensed. The apparatus embodiedherein utilizes a water pump 80 to draw the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water through the water outlet 66 and into an intake of thewater pump 80. Preferably, a water line 82 is connected to the waterpump 80 and extends within the heat exchanger 50 for subsequentdistribution and discharge of the outflow of cooled heat exchanger waterthrough a water manifold 85, as will be described. By maintaining thewater line 82, and thus the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water,within the heat exchanger 50, unnecessary exposure and warming of theoutflow of cooled heat exchanger water will be minimized.

As previously mentioned, a thermistor 74 and recirculation line 72 alsoare preferably connected to or located proximate the water outlet 66 toensure that the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water does not exceed apredetermined temperature. If the predetermined temperature is exceeded,a recirculation pump 70 is activated by a signal from the thermistor 74to recirculate the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water to the upperportion of the heat exchanger tank 52 for additional circulation andcooling. FIGS. 2 and 3 show that a thermistor 89 and manifoldrecirculation valve 87 likewise are provided on the water manifold 85 torecirculate water from the water manifold 85 when a predeterminedtemperature is exceeded, such as during periods of low or casual demand.Alternatively, an orifice (not shown) may be provided in the watermanifold 85 for recirculating water at a low constant flow so as toprevent undesirable warming of the water in the water manifold 85 duringperiods of low demand.

Also located at the lower portion of the heat exchanger tank 52 of theapparatus embodied herein is a drain 68 and dump valve 69. For example,when the temperature in the heat exchanger tank 52 is unacceptable dueto a lack of ice, the dump valve 69 is actuated by a signal from thethermistor 74 to purge the water contained within the heat exchangertank 52. The dump valve 69 is closed after purging is completed and,after new ice is introduced, the control system described above producesthe desired temperature of cooled heat exchanger water.

Further in accordance with the present invention, beverage concentrateis flowed through a beverage concentrate conduit that thermally contactsice. In this manner, the beverage concentrate that flows through thebeverage concentrate conduit indirectly contacts the ice so as to coolthe beverage concentrate and produce an outflow of undiluted cooledbeverage concentrate. According to one aspect of the present invention,the beverage concentrate conduit is positioned to be directly contactingthe cooled heat exchanger water, namely the water that is to be mixedwith the cooled beverage concentrate. This provides a highly efficientand compact unit. The outflow of cooled beverage concentrate is thenmixed with a proper proportion of the outflow of cooled heat exchangerwater to produce the cool, proportioned, mixed beverage, as will bedescribed.

The beverage concentrate conduit preferably includes a plurality ofbeverage concentrate conduits, each beverage concentrate conduit flowinga respective beverage concentrate and thermally contacting ice. In thismanner, a plurality of respective beverage concentrates indirectlycontact ice for simultaneous cooling of the beverage concentrates. Thisarrangement allows an outflow of a selected cooled beverage concentrateto be produced simply by selectively flowing the desired beverageconcentrate through the respective beverage concentrate conduit.Further, and in contrast with the stacked tube arrangement of aconventional cold plate, this arrangement allows the outflow of eachcooled beverage concentrate to have a temperature approximately equal tothat of the other beverage concentrates. That is, the temperatures ofthe various outflows of cooled beverage concentrate preferably arewithin about 4° F. of each other, and more preferably within about 2° F.of each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, a plurality of beverage concentrateconduits 90 for flowing a respective plurality of beverage concentratesare disposed within the heat exchanger tank 52. The conduits 90 arepreferably tubes or tubular members, however, for purposes of thepresent invention, the beverage concentrate conduits may be anyarrangement which contains or permits the flow of beverage concentrateduring the time the beverage concentrate is being cooled. The beverageconcentrates can include flavors such as cola, ginger ale, and orange. Aconduit inlet 91 into the heat exchanger 50 and a conduit outlet 93 outof the heat exchanger 50 are provided for each beverage concentrateconduit 90. The conduit inlet 91 and outlet 93 of each beverageconcentrate conduit 90 are preferably located above the water level inthe heat exchanger tank 52 to eliminate the risk of leakage through thewall of the heat exchanger tank 52. Between the conduit inlet 91 andoutlet 93, each beverage concentrate conduit 90 directly contacts thecooled heat exchanger water by extending below the water level that ismaintained in the heat exchanger tank 52 for indirect contact of therespective beverage concentrate with the cooled heat exchanger water.Couplings or quick release connections may be provided at the conduitinlet 91 and outlet 93 of each beverage concentrate conduit 90 tofacilitate easy removal and cleaning.

Although FIGS. 2 through 5 show each beverage concentrate conduit 90generally having a coiled U-shaped configuration between the conduitinlet 91 and outlet 93, alternative configurations also may be used. Forexample, a spirally stacked coil shape could be used to significantlyincrease the length of the beverage concentrate conduit 90 that is incontact with the cooled heat exchanger water, and thus, the indirectexposure and cooling of the beverage concentrate. The beverageconcentrate conduits 90 therefore can be arranged so as to indirectlycontact each respective beverage concentrate with the cooled heatexchanger water for a sufficient time to maintain the outflow ofbeverage concentrate at or below a desired temperature.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the desiredtemperature for the outflow of beverage concentrate is at or below about40° F. and more preferably at or below about 38° F., so as to enhancethe quality of the beverage that is dispensed. However, to minimizeflashing or foaming when the beverage concentrate is mixed withcarbonated water, it is preferred that the temperature differencebetween the two liquids does not exceed about 4° F., and more preferredthat the temperature difference does not exceed 2° F. Therefore, whenthe carbonated water is cooled to a temperature at or below about 36°F., it is preferred that the beverage concentrate is cooled to atemperature at or below about 38° F. This may be accomplished using apreferred length of about 18 feet of beverage concentrate conduit 90 foreach beverage concentrate. However, if additional cooling of thebeverage concentrate is required, a greater length of beverageconcentrate conduit 90 can be used. Unlike a conventional cold plateconfiguration, the present invention is less limited in the length ofbeverage concentrate conduit that is available for cooling.

Further, this arrangement preferably uses single-walled unencased tubesor tubular members for the beverage concentrate conduits 90, as opposedto tubes that are encased in an aluminum block such as the arrangementused in the cold plate system described above. In contrast to aconventional cold plate, the outer surface of each tubular memberpreferably embodied herein is unobstructed from direct contact with thecooled heat exchanger water. Hence, the outer surface of each tubularmember directly contacts cooled heat exchanger water, while the innerwall of each tubular member directly contacts the respective beverageconcentrate flowing therethrough. The tubular members preferably havethin walls, such that the wall thickness is about 0.020 inches, forenhanced heat transfer. The tubular members of the beverage concentrateconduits 90 are usually fabricated from stainless steel. Alternatively,encased conduit units such as cold plates may be used, if necessary ordesired, to cool the beverage concentrate by indirectly contacting thebeverage concentrate with ice.

According to a further aspect of the present invention and as shown inFIG. 6, the heat exchanger 50 is configured to include a second tank 54'for directly contacting ice and water with the beverage concentrateconduits to produce an claim-outflow of cooled beverage concentrate,while preventing the water and ice in the second tank 54' of the heatexchanger 50 from mixing with the cooled heat exchanger water of thefirst tank 52'. This is accomplished by positioning and disposing thebeverage concentrate conduits 90 in the second tank 54', and byseparately draining and discarding the melt runoff from the second tank54'. Hence, the cooled heat exchanger water from the first tank 52' ofthe heat exchanger 50, which is used for producing the mixed beverage,does not contact the beverage concentrate conduits 90. Preferably, thefirst tank 52' is configured for easy removal and cleaning. It is alsopreferred that such components as the water lines 82, 86, and the watermanifold 85 are provided in the second tank 54' of the heat exchanger50. This limits the number of components that are exposed within thefirst tank 52' of the heat exchanger 50 and simplifies maintaining thepurity of the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water therefrom which ismixed with the cooled beverage concentrate. This may be particularlyuseful in concentrate cooling systems that are less frequently cleaned.

As with the first aspect described above, the walls of the second tank54' of the heat exchanger 50 preferably are made of or coated with athermal insulative material. FIG. 6 shows that the first and secondtanks 52', 54' of the heat exchanger 50 can share a common wall toreduce costs related to fabrication and materials, as well as to reducethe size and weight of the apparatus as a whole. Also similar to thefirst aspect described above, the beverage concentrate conduits 90 andtanks 52', 54' may be manufactured using a variety of configurations andmaterials. Alternatively, an orifice with a removable plug may bepositioned between the tanks to provide a choice of whether to mix thewater between the two tanks.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the heatexchanger 50 can be provided with an additional tank 55" for directlycontacting the beverage concentrate conduits 90 with cooled heatexchanger water only. For example, and as shown in FIG. 7, a first heatexchanger tank 52" is provided for directly contacting water and ice toproduce cooled heat exchanger water as described above. A second heatexchanger tank 54' optionally may be provided in the same manner asdiscussed above. An additional heat exchanger tank 55" is provided fordirectly contacting beverage concentrate conduits 90 with a portion ofthe cooled heat exchanger water produced. A communication line 75 isconnected to the recirculation pump 70 to cycle a portion of the cooledheat exchanger water through an intake 71 from the bottom of the firsttank 55" or from second tank 54" to the top of the additional tank 55".With the beverage concentrate conduits 90 positioned and disposed in theadditional tank 55", the cooled heat exchanger water that is cycled tothe additional tank 55- effectively provides thermal contact with theice in the first tank 52" or second tank 54". The portion of cooled heatexchanger water in the additional tank 55" is agitated and recycled backto tank 52" or tank 54" by the recirculation pump 70 for continuedcooling through a connecting tube 76.

In this manner, all of the beverage concentrate conduits 90 may belocated in the additional tank 55" for maintaining the purity of theoutflow of cooled heat exchanger water from the first tank 52".Alternatively, beverage concentrate conduits 90 can be located in boththe first tank 52" and the additional tank 55", or in both the secondtank 54" and the additional tank 55", to increase the number of beverageconcentrates that can be cooled, and thus, the number of beverages thatcan be dispensed from the apparatus.

As described, the various embodiments of the present invention sometimesutilize more than one heat exchanger tank. In some instances, this is tokeep the ice and water which contacts and cools the beverage concentrateconduits in a separate tank from the tank containing the water to beconsumed. In other instances, this is to cycle cooled water from an icewater tank to an additional tank where the cooled water cools thebeverage concentrate conduits. In yet other instances, a first tankcontains ice and the water that is consumed, a second tank contains iceand water and primary beverage concentrate conduits, and an additionaltank contains secondary beverage concentrate conduits and receivescooled water from the first or second tank.

In each of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, it is preferredthat the conduit outlet 93 of each beverage concentrate conduit 90 islocated immediately behind a corresponding dispensing valve 112.Similarly, a separate water discharge line 86 for each beverageconcentrate conduit 90 extends from the water manifold 85 and exits theheat exchanger 50 at a location proximate the conduit outlet 93 of thecorresponding beverage concentrate conduit 90. Although these conduits90 and discharge lines 86 are above the heat exchanger water level,FIGS. 4 and 5 show that they remain surrounded by ice when the apparatusis in operation. By arranging the beverage concentrate conduits 90 andwater discharge lines 86 to exit the heat exchanger 50 immediatelybehind corresponding dispensing valves 112, the duration in which theoutflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooledbeverage concentrate are not cooled within the heat exchanger isminimized, and the efficiency of the apparatus in dispensing coolbeverage is further enhanced.

Although the beverage concentrate conduit and water discharge linearrangements of FIGS. 1 through 7 enhance the efficiency of theapparatus, other alternative arrangements may also be used. For example,FIGS. 8 and 9 show another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus inaccordance with the present invention, generally designated by referencecharacter 10", that is primarily located within a cabinet. This drop-inversion of the present invention operates in substantially the samemanner and generally includes all of the same features as the apparatusshown in FIGS. 1 through 5. However, to utilize a manual ice dispensingbin only the dispenser unit of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 isexposed above the counter top.

As with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 through 5, water from an outside source61 is directly contacted with ice in the apparatus of FIGS. 8 through 9to produce cooled heat exchanger water from the water and ice and anoutflow of the cooled heat exchanger water. To conserve space and reducecosts, an ice transfer system as described above is not provided in thisexemplary embodiment. Rather, ice is manually loaded through an ice binopening 22 provided in the top of the ice bin 20 to fill the tank 52provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger 50 through the ice inlet42. An ice bin cover 24 closes the ice bin opening 22 to maintain thetemperature within the ice bin 20, and to prevent foreign material fromfalling into the bin when closed. Water is then supplied from a waterinlet 62, and controlled by a controlling system using a water levelsensor 64 and a water inlet valve 63 in the same manner described above.

The apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9 also includes a recirculation pump 70 forrecirculating the heat exchanger water when a predetermined temperatureis exceeded, as determined by a thermistor 74 and as described above,and a water pump 80 for drawing the outflow of cooled heat exchangerwater through a water outlet 66 at the lower portion of the heatexchanger tank 52 for subsequent distribution and discharge through awater manifold 85. The recirculation pump 70 and the water pump 80 arepositioned outside the heat exchanger tank 52.

Since the dispenser unit of this embodiment is located above the counterlevel, a length of the water line 182 from the water pump 80 to thewater manifold 85 and of each beverage concentrate conduit 90 mustextend outside of the heat exchanger tank 52 prior to reaching thecorresponding dispensing valve 112. To maintain the temperature of theoutflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooledbeverage concentrate, insulative material is provided outside the heatexchanger tank 52 surrounding the water line 82, the water manifold 85,and the beverage concentrate conduits 90. As with the apparatus of FIGS.2 through 5, a thermistor 89 and manifold recirculation valve 87likewise can be provided to recirculate water from the water manifold 85through a manifold recirculation line 88 to the heat exchanger tank 52when the water in the manifold exceeds a predetermined temperature, suchas during periods of low or casual demand. An orifice (not shown) alsomay be provided in the water manifold 85 for recirculating water at alow constant flow through a manifold recirculation line 88 to the heatexchanger tank 52 so as to prevent undesirable warming of the water inthe manifold 85. In this manner, undesirably warm water is not mixedwith a beverage concentrate or dispensed from the dispensing valve.

Although not shown, the heat exchanger of the drop-in version of thepresent invention also may include a second tank, as with thearrangements of FIGS. 6 and 7. In this manner, either ice and watertogether or cooled heat exchanger water alone can directly contact thebeverage concentrate conduits to produce the outflow of cooled beverageconcentrate without mixing into the outflow of cooled heat exchangerwater from the first tank of the heat exchanger. This is accomplished bydisposing the beverage concentrate conduit in the second tank. Hence,the cooled heat exchanger water from the first tank of the heatexchanger, which is used for producing the mixed beverage, does notcontact the beverage concentrate conduits. The first and second tanks ofthe heat exchanger can be positioned in side-by-side or a front-to-backrelationship with the beverage concentrate conduits configuredaccordingly.

The ice loaded into the ice bin 20 may be used for cooling the watersupplied from the water inlet 62 to produce cooled heat exchanger water,and for filling beverage containers prior to dispensing the mixedbeverage. To further enhance the purity of the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water, and in accordance with yet another aspect of theinvention, the ice bin 20 may be configured to separate the ice that isused for producing the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water from theice that is dispensed into beverage containers for consumption. Forexample, and as shown in FIG. 10, a dividing wall 26 may be provided todefine a heat exchanger ice bin 27 and a dispenser ice bin 29. The meltrunoff of the heat exchanger ice bin 27 mixes with the water from thewater inlet 62 to produce the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water,while the melt runoff of the dispenser ice bin 29 is separately drainedand discarded through the drain 25. Thus, the purity of the cooled heatexchanger water is further enhanced since outside contact with the icein the heat exchanger ice bin 27 is minimized.

As previously mentioned, the present invention includes proportioningand mixing the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow ofcooled beverage concentrate to produce an outflow of cool, proportioned,mixed beverage. Accordingly, the apparatus of the present inventionincludes a proportioner and mixer for receiving the outflow of cooledheat exchanger water and the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate, andfor proportioning and mixing the outflow of cooled heat exchanger waterand the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate accordingly. Further, ifthe heat exchanger 50 includes two tanks 52', 54', as in the arrangementof FIG. 6, then the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water that isconsumed is received solely from the first tank 52' of the heatexchanger 50.

When the beverage concentrate conduit includes a plurality of beverageconcentrate conduits 90, as embodied herein, each beverage concentrateconduit 90 and corresponding water discharge line 86 is preferablyprovided with a separate proportioner and mixer. The proportioner andmixer thus proportion and mix the outflow of selected beverageconcentrate and the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water to producethe selected cool, proportioned, mixed beverage.

A variety of conventional proportioners and mixers are known, andcommonly available as an integral unit 110, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4,and 7-10. Examples include such units as Flomatic 424, Lancer LEV, orCornelius SF1. The proportioner and mixer 110 may include pre-adjustedvalves connected to the beverage concentrate conduit 90 and the waterdischarge line 86, respectively, to control or proportion the properflow of the two liquids into a mixing chamber.

The purpose of the proportioner and mixer is to ensure that a properratio of the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate and the outflow ofcooled heat exchanger water are mixed. This ratio affects the taste andquality of the mixed beverage, as well as the temperature in which themixed beverage is dispensed. Preferably, the proportioner and mixer 110are controlled to produce a cooled, proportioned, mixed beverage at atemperature of about 45° F. or below, and more preferably, at atemperature of about 40° F. or below, and most preferably, at atemperature of about 36° F. or below. Preferably, the control systemdescribed above properly proportions the water and ice in the heatexchanger and the duration of contact, as well as proportions theoutflows of cooled beverage concentrate and cooled heat exchanger water,to produce the mixed beverage desired. For example, an outflow of cooledheat exchanger water having a temperature of about 36° F. is mixed withan outflow of cooled beverage concentrate having a temperature of about38° F. at a volume ratio of between about 5:1 to produce a mixedbeverage having a temperature of about 36° F.

A dispensing valve is also provided in accordance with the presentinvention for controlling the dispensing of the cool, proportioned,mixed beverage. Each dispensing valve 112 embodied herein and shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 7-10 is operated by a switch 111, such as toggleswitch below a dispensing valve nozzle 113 or a separate push buttonswitch. The switch 111 is operated, and the mixed beverage is dispensedthrough the dispensing valve 112 from the proportioner and mixer 110,when a container is positioned beneath the dispensing valve nozzle 113.The dispensing valve 112 also can be operated by an optical sensor orthe like if desired.

Carbonated beverages are extremely popular, and commonly dispensed frombeverage dispensers. If carbonation is desired, the apparatus preferablyincludes a carbonator for carbonating the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water which is used to produce the mixed beverage to beproduced and dispensed. Since the solubility of carbon dioxide isinversely proportional to the temperature of the water that is to becarbonated, it is preferable to carbonate water at the lowesttemperature possible above freezing. Once carbonated, it is furtherpreferred that the carbonated water remain cool to prevent excessiverelease or foaming of carbon dioxide.

As embodied herein, the carbonator 180 is in heat exchange contact withcooled heat exchanger water for keeping the contents of the carbonator180 cool. Specifically, FIGS. 2-5 and 8-10 show that the carbonator 180is located in the lower portion of the heat exchanger tank 52 below thewater level, and connected between the water pump 80 and the watermanifold 85. Hence, the cooled heat exchanger water that is drawnthrough the water outlet 66 is pressurized by the water pump 80 andforced into the carbonator 180 so as to be carbonated with carbondioxide supplied from a carbon dioxide source (not shown). By locatingthe carbonator 180 within the heat exchanger tank 52 below the waterlevel, this arrangement maintains the low temperature of the water andstability of the carbonation.

Alternatively, when two heat exchanger tanks are provided, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, it is preferred that the carbonator 180 is located in thesecond tank 54' of the heat exchanger 50. This simplifies maintainingthe purity of the cooled heat exchanger water from the first tank 52' ofthe heat exchanger 50, which is to be used for producing the mixedbeverage.

In each preferred arrangement of the present invention, the cooledcarbonated water is then released from the carbonator 180 for mixingwith the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate. The cooled carbonatedwater may be directed through a water line 182 that is surrounded by iceand connected to a water manifold 85, as described above and shown inFIGS. 2 through 10. Alternatively, the carbonator 180 itself may bearranged to function as a manifold such that a separate water dischargeline 86 corresponding to each beverage concentrate conduit 90 extendsdirectly from the carbonator 180. A recirculation valve 87, such as aconventional solenoid valve, or an orifice is also provided torecirculate the cooled carbonated water so a low temperature ismaintained in the manifold 85, as previously described.

In accordance with the present invention, the cooled carbonated water isthen directed to the proportioner and mixer 110 for proportioning andmixing with the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate in the mannerdescribed above. However, since the cooled beverage concentrate iscooled to a predetermined temperature, preferably within a 2° F.temperature difference of the cooled carbonated water, flashing ofcarbon dioxide from the carbonated water is minimized. Hence, byutilizing the method and apparatus described above, a mixed beverage canbe cooled, prepared, and dispensed efficiently and inexpensively, andunnecessary waste of water and energy can be minimized.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method andapparatus are provided for transporting ice. The method includessupplying ice to an upstream portion of a conduit. As shown in FIG. 11,ice is made at a remote location, in an icemaker 220, provided to icedispenser 222, and dispensed from ice outlet chute 224 at apredetermined controlled rate and size to supply ice to an upstreamportion 226 of an ice transport conduit 228. While it is preferable touse an icemaker and an ice dispenser to supply ice to the conduit, it isalso within the scope of the invention to supply ice by other automatedmechanisms or manually.

It is preferable to supply the ice to the conduit while the fluid fortransporting the ice in the conduit is moving, simultaneously supplyingice to the conduit while transporting ice in the conduit. Using thepresent invention, it is possible to supply ice to the conduit at avolume of one hundred pounds per hour and even further possible toachieve higher supply rates including seven hundred pounds per hour.

According to the present invention, the method includes transporting theice from an upstream portion of the conduit to a downstream portion ofthe conduit with a fluid. As shown in FIG. 11, the ice is transportedfrom the upstream portion 226 of the ice transport conduit 228 to adownstream portion 230 of the conduit 228 by a fluid including water.The conduit may have a variety of shapes and geometric arrangements,including those shown in the drawing with the upstream portion at alower elevation than the downstream portion.

The water preferably is supplied to the upstream portion 226 of the icetransport conduit 228 in the form of a high pressure and high speedfluid jet by a water nozzle 232. The water is provided to water nozzle232 by a hose 234, which receives water from a pump 236, which isconnected by a hose 238 to the reservoir in plenum 240. Plenum 240 maybe filled by fill spout 242 and may have excess water exit by overflow244.

It is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the fluid jet at thenozzle is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of theconduit in which the fluid jet propels the ice. It is to be found to besatisfactory to use a nozzle having an diameter of one-eighth of an inchto one-quarter of an inch in a conduit having a diameter of two to threeinches.

While according to one aspect of the invention it is preferable totransport the ice with a jet of water, it is within the scope of theinvention to transport the ice by water which is not in the form of ajet, or by using a different fluid, such as air.

According to the present invention, the method also includes separatingthe ice from the fluid at the downstream portion of the conduit. Asshown in FIG. 11, the ice is separated from the water at the downstreamend of the conduit 230 by a separator grill 246, which allows the waterto pass through the grill and the ice to be directed into an icereceiving bin 248. Other separation methods and mechanisms may also beused to separate the ice from the water, including scoops, vacuums,fingers, and centrifuges.

According to the present invention, the method includes recirculatingthe fluid to the upstream portion of the conduit. As shown in FIG. 11,the water is recirculated from the downstream portion 230 of the conduitafter it has been separated from the ice, going through water returnline 250 to the reservoir in plenum 240 where it can be reused totransport additional ice through transport conduit 228. Therecirculation of the water has been found to provide a transport systemin which the ice may be maintained at a low temperature withoutunnecessary melting during transport and without having to refrigeratethe water used in the transport.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method andapparatus is provided for transporting ice in which ice is transportedin the upward direction and subsequently transported with the movingfluid including water. As shown in FIG. 11, the ice is transported in anupward direction in ascending ice transport conduit 228a by a water jetsupplied from water nozzle 232. The water jet acts as a high velocitystream that effectively blows the ice to the top of the ascendingconduit 228a and the velocity of the ice carries it around the curvedcorner 229 to descending conduit 228b. The water jet also pushes the airin conduit 228 creating an air flow to assist, but more importantly, notimpede the ice flow. The ice is subsequently transported down adescending conduit 228b, using the moving water which reaches descendingconduit 228b from ascending conduit 228a to carry the ice to the icereceiving bin.

While it is preferable to use a fluid jet in an ascending conduit totransport the ice in an upward direction according to this aspect of theinvention, it is also possible to be within the scope of this aspect ofthe invention and transport the ice in an upward direction by a fluid ina non-jet form, or by other means such as conveyors, augers, or buckets.

Also, while it is presently preferable in this aspect of the inventionto transport the ice with the moving fluid including water bytransporting the ice down a descending conduit, it is also possible totransport the ice with the moving fluid including water by pumping thewater to create the flow, rather than using or relying on gravity and asmall amount of water to create the flow. However, according to thisaspect of the invention, the descending conduit is preferably graduallydescending, declined to fall about one-eighth inch to one inch per footof length. This is found to permit the ice to move to its destination bygravity without requiring a significant vertical drop to propel the ice.The descending conduit may have a diameter of 2 inches to 3 inches andthe ice preferably includes pieces having a volume in the range of aboutone-eighth cubic inches to three cubic inches. The ice is preferablycubed ice of the type used in beverage dispensers rather than ice inother forms such as block, cracked small particles, or flaked. Suchcubed ice can be in various shapes including cubes, rectangles,crescents, spheres, and other shapes.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus isprovided for transporting ice up an ascending conduit with a fluidmoving at a first speed and subsequently transporting the ice with afluid moving at a second speed substantially lower than the first speed.As shown in FIG. 11, the method includes transporting the ice upascending conduit 228a with a water jet being supplied at a pressure ofapproximately 50-150 psi, which travels at a high speed. The waternozzle preferably has an orifice diameter of one-eighth inches tothree-eighths inches.

The ascending conduit may be inclined at an angle which is preferablyabout 45° to 85° from the horizontal, preferably has a length of 8 to 12feet, and cross-sectional area of about 4 square inches to 9 squareinches, such as a circular conduit having a diameter of about 2 inchesto 3 inches. The ascending conduit 228a preferably has a mechanism forseparating ascending ice and water from any descending ice and water,and such separating mechanism can include a series of isolation baffles258 including spaced plates with holes.

Subsequently, the ice is transported at a second speed, which issubstantially slower than the first speed, in conduit 228b, which ispreferably a gradually descending conduit such as that described above.However a sharply descending conduit or a horizontal or inclinedconduit, or other geometric arrangements may be used in some instances.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is preferable toexhaust air from an upper portion of the ascending conduit, and evenmore preferable to recirculate air from the upper portion of theascending conduit to a lower portion of the ascending conduit. This isaccomplished by a vent 252, which is preferably just a little past theend of the ascending conduit 228a and a little downstream of theupstream end of the descending conduit 228b, for exhausting the air, andpreferably a return air duct 254 which connects vent 252 to the plenum240. Plenum 240 contains a lower area 241a filled with water up to waterlevel 241, and an upper area 241b filled with air.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus areprovided for loading an ice receiving bin, beverage dispenser, orcontainer for cooling a beverage. As shown in FIG. 11, ice is receivedfrom the conduit 228 and deposited in an ice receiving bin 248 in orproximate to a beverage dispenser 256 to cool the beverage dispensedfrom the beverage dispenser 256 with the ice. The ice in the icereceiving bin 248 may be either mixed with the dispensed beverage tocool the beverage in a cup or other beverage container and/or used tocool the beverage or components of the beverage before dispensing thebeverage. This may be accomplished by using a cold plate to cool thebeverage concentrate or water or both. In addition, the ice may be usedto cool the beverage in accordance with the methods and apparatus forcooling beverages described above in connection with FIGS. 1-10. The icemay be received in locations and containers other than those in orproximate to a beverage dispenser as well, including locations where iceis used to cool beverages, consumables or other items. For example, itmay be used in a hotel, apartment building, restaurant, or conventioncenter to supply ice from a remote location to a plurality of rooms orother locations, for use by guests, consumers, employees or others.

The invention also preferably includes an arrangement for detecting icejams and stopping the supplying of ice to the conduit when an ice jam isdetected. The ice jams are detected by detecting the flow of air in anupper portion of ascending conduit and stopping the supplying of ice tothe conduit when ice jam is detected.

As shown in FIG. 11, the jam detector 260 includes a light flap 262pivoted on a rod in return air duct 254 which actuates a micro switch264 for stopping ice from being supplied from ice dispenser 222 when theair flow in return air duct 254 decreases below a predetermined amount.Once the supply of ice to ascending conduit 228a ceases, the fluid jet232 clears the ice jam in ascending conduit 228a, thereby returning airflow in return air duct 254 to normal, again permitting ice to besupplied to conduit 228.

The arrangement also preferably includes a manifold 266 which includes adiverter valve for directing ice to multiple locations, such as multiplebeverage dispensers 2S6 at various locations in a restaurant orconvenience store. The arrangement also preferably includes a pluralityof descending conduits which lead to plurality of ice bins.

The invention preferably includes detecting the ice level in the icereceiving bin with a device such as a sonar detector 257, andresponsively controlling the ice flow at the manifold to preventexcessive ice delivery.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is preferable toprovide an arrangement which supplies ice from a location which isremote from the location in which the ice is used, so that employees andcustomers can easily pass between the area in which the ice is beingsupplied and the area in which the ice is being used in the dispenser.In such situations, it is preferable to transport the ice from below aroom's ceiling line to above a room's ceiling line in the ascendingconduit, such as in the back room pumping facility, and subsequentlytransport the ice from above a room's ceiling line to below a room'sceiling line, such as the front room of a facility. It is preferable toavoid interference with passing customers and employees by having theceiling line at least 7 feet from the floor and at the ceiling linethrough which the conduits pass, and a wall 266 between the ascendingconduit 228a and the ice receiving bin 248.

As shown in FIG. 11, plenum 240, which is at the bottom of the icesupply system is positioned on or near floor 268 of a remote locationsuch as room 270a, and ascending conduit 228a passes through ceilingline 272, which is about 7 feet from floor 268 and passes overhead anddescends through ceiling line 272b into ice receiving bin 248.Preferably, there is a wall 266 between the ice dispenser 222 and theice receiving bin 248 and a ceiling at ceiling line 272 to create aspace between ceiling line 272 and the underside of the roof or nextfloor 274. According to an aspect of the invention, the descendingconduit can decline gradually so as to be between the underside of theroof or next floor 274 and the ceiling line 272 from the ice supply atthe remote location to the ice receiving bin to avoid interference.

Another embodiment of the ice transfer invention is shown in FIG. 14.Similar numerals are used identify similar components. As shown in FIG.14, ice transfer conduit 328 passes from the ice supply area or room370a to the ice receiving bin area or room 370b underneath floor 368. Ahigh pressure pump 336 is used to pump a jet of water out nozzle 332from plenum 340. Gravity assists the flow of ice below the level of thereceiving bin and then up again into the receiving bin. A second pump,337 is added to the system to pump water at a low pressure and a highvolume from reservoir in plenum 340 through line 329 to provideadditional water in conduit 328 as it descends to keep a flow rate thatwill reliably move the ice in the desired manner. A partial bypass 347with a screen is provided between the ice transport conduit 328 and thewater return 350 just before the ice transport conduit 328 reaches theseparator 346 so that additional water does not need to be separated atseparator grill 346.

Both the water return 350 and the ice transport conduit 328 preferablyare positioned between floor 368 and sub-floor 369. Other geometricarrangements of the ice transport conduit 328 and any return lines maybe used, including patterns that do not go above ceiling line 372 orbelow floor 368, and still be within various aspects of the scope of theinvention.

An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 12, with similar numeralsidentifying similar components. As shown in FIG. 12, an air blower orair pump 436 produces an air jet through air nozzle 432, having anorifice diameter of three-eighths inches to one and one-fourth inches.The air jet blows the ice dispensed from ice dispenser chute 424 upascending conduit 428a. Ice that does not reach the top of ascendingconduit 428a and drippings can slide back through back-flow ice shoot458 into plenum 440. The ice is blown downhill the rest of the way downdescending conduit 428b to ice receiving bin 448 in dispenser 456.Conduit 428 can have level or uphill sections in some applications ifnecessary though it is not currently preferable to do so.

The ice is deflected by ice deflecting grill 446 or another separatorarrangement and the air is returned to the air blower 436 through airreturn 450, thereby having a closed air recirculating system which stayscool and which does not exhaust into ice receiving bin 448. The variousconduits, returns and other components may be insulated for furtherenergy saving. Multiple deflector valves 466a and 466b may be used bothin the ice transport line 428 and in the return line 450.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 13, which issimilar to FIG. 12, except that it has a return air duct 554 whichconnects vent 552 of ice transport conduit 528 back to plenum 540. Thisarrangement raises the air velocity in the ascending conduit 528a toimprove the transport of the ice by producing a higher velocity flow inascending conduit 528 to elevate the ice, and a lower velocity in thedescending ice transport conduit 528b which uses gravity to aid in theice transport.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the design and fabricationof the apparatus of the present invention, as well as the sequence andperformance of the method of the present invention, without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for preparing and dispensing a cool beveragecomprising:contacting water and ice directly together in a heatexchanger, cooling the water and melting the ice, to produce cooled heatexchanger water in the heat exchanger from the water and ice and anoutflow of the cooled heat exchanger water; flowing beverage concentratethrough a conduit in thermal contact with ice, indirectly contacting thebeverage concentrate with the ice, melting the ice and cooling thebeverage concentrate, to produce an outflow of the cooled beverageconcentrate; proportioning and mixing the outflow of cooled beverageconcentrate with the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water to produce acool, proportioned, mixed beverage; and dispensing the cool,proportioned, mixed beverage.
 2. The method of claim 1 includingdirectly contacting the beverage concentrate conduit with at least aportion of the cooled heat exchanger water for thermal contact with theice.
 3. The method of claim 2 further including recycling the portion ofthe cooled heat exchanger water that directly contacts the beverageconcentrate conduit so as to directly contact ice for continued cooling.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the flowing step includes selectivelyflowing one of a plurality of beverage concentrates through one of arespective plurality of beverage concentrate conduits in thermal contactwith the ice, indirectly contacting the beverage concentrates with theice, cooling the beverage concentrates, to produce an outflow of theselected cooled beverage concentrate; and the proportioning and mixingstep includes proportioning and mixing the outflow of selected cooledbeverage concentrate with the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water toproduce a selected cool, proportioned, mixed beverage.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of beverage concentrates are cooled to atemperature within about 4° F. of each other.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein the plurality of beverage concentrates are cooled to atemperature within about 2° F. of each other.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow ofcooled beverage concentrate are cooled to a temperature within about 4°F. of each other.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the outflow ofcooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooled beverageconcentrate are cooled to a temperature within about 26° F. of eachother.
 9. The method of claim 1 including automatically maintainingsufficient water and ice in the heat exchanger to maintain the outflowof cooled heat exchanger water at a temperature of about 36° F. orbelow.
 10. The method of claim 1 including maintaining the beverageconcentrate in indirect contact with the ice a sufficient time tomaintain the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate at a temperature ofabout 40° F. or below.
 11. The method of claim 1 including carbonatingthe outflow of cooled heat exchanger water in a carbonator.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of directly contacting water and icein a heat exchanger includes directing the water along a path ofsufficient length so as to be in contact with the ice a sufficient timeto cool the water and melt the ice and produce the outflow of the cooledheat exchanger water at a temperature of about 36° F. or below.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the directing includes agitating.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 including automatically maintaining sufficient waterand ice in the heat exchanger to maintain the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water at a substantially constant temperature independent ofthe rate of outflow.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the contactingstep includes proportioning the water and ice and the duration ofcontact between the water and ice to produce the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water at a temperature of about 38° F. or below.
 16. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the contacting step includes proportioningthe water and ice and the duration of contact between the water and iceto produce the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water at a temperatureof about 36° F. or below.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontacting step includes proportioning the water and ice and theduration of contact between the water and ice in the heat exchanger toproduce cooled, proportioned, mixed beverage at a temperature of about45° F. or below.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting stepincludes proportioning the water and ice and the duration of contactbetween the water and ice in the heat exchanger to produce cooled,proportioned, mixed beverage at a temperature of about 36° F. or below.19. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step includesproportioning the water and ice and the duration of contact between thewater and ice to produce the outflow of cooled beverage concentrate at atemperature of about 40° F. or below.
 20. The method of claim 1, whereinthe contacting step includes proportioning the water and ice and theduration of contact between the water and ice to produce the outflow ofcooled beverage concentrate at a temperature of about 38° F. or below.21. The method of claim 11 including operating the carbonator in heatexchange contact with the ice for keeping the contents of the carbonatorcool.
 22. The method of claim 21 including carbonating the outflow ofcooled heat exchanger water in a carbonator and manifolding thecarbonated water from the carbonator to individual conduits leading to aplurality of individual dispensing nozzles.
 23. The method of claim 11including recirculating carbonated water from the carbonator to the heatexchanger.
 24. The method of claim 23 including controlling therecirculating with an orifice.
 25. The method of claim 1 includingpreventing any water and ice which directly contacts the beverageconcentrate conduit from mixing with the cooled heat exchanger water.26. The method of claim 1, wherein the flowing step includes flowing thebeverage concentrate through a conduit which is an unencased tubularmember.
 27. An apparatus for preparing and dispensing a cool beveragecomprising:a heat exchanger having a tank for directly contacting waterand ice, cooling the water and melting the ice, to produce cooled heatexchanger water in the heat exchanger from the water and ice and anoutflow of the cooled heat exchanger water; a beverage concentrateconduit positioned within the heat exchanger for flowing a beverageconcentrate therethrough and for thermally contacting ice, indirectlycontacting the beverage concentrate with the ice, melting the ice andcooling the beverage concentrate, to produce an outflow of the cooledbeverage concentrate; and a proportioner and mixer for receiving theoutflow of cooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooledbeverage concentrate, and for proportioning and mixing the outflow ofcooled heat exchanger water and the outflow of cooled beverageconcentrate to produce a cool, proportioned, mixed beverage.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 27, wherein the beverage concentrate conduit ispositioned to be directly contacting the cooled heat exchanger water.29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the beverage concentrate conduitincludes a plurality of beverage concentrate conduits for thermallycontacting the ice, indirectly contacting a plurality of respectivebeverage concentrates with the ice, cooling the beverage concentrates,to produce an outflow of a selected cooled beverage concentrate; and theproportioner and mixer proportion and mix the outflow of selectedbeverage concentrate and the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water toproduce a selected cool, proportioned, mixed beverage.
 30. The apparatusof claim 27 including a control system for automatically maintainingsufficient water and ice in the heat exchanger to maintain the outflowof cooled heat exchanger water at a temperature of about 36° F. orbelow.
 31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the beverage concentrateconduit is arranged so as to indirectly contact the beverage concentratewith the ice a sufficient time to maintain the outflow of cooledbeverage concentrate at a temperature of about 40° F. or below.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 27 including a carbonator for carbonating the outflowof cooled heat exchanger water.
 33. The apparatus of claim 27, whereinthe heat exchanger directs the water along a path of sufficient lengthso as to be in contact with the ice a sufficient time to cool the waterand melt the ice and produce the outflow of the cooled heat exchangerwater at a temperature of about 36° F. or below.
 34. The apparatus ofclaim 33 including an agitator for agitating the water and ice in theheat exchanger.
 35. The apparatus of claim 27 including a control systemfor automatically maintaining sufficient water and ice in the heatexchanger to maintain the outflow of cooled heat exchanger water at asubstantially constant temperature independent of the rate of outflow.36. The apparatus of claim 27 including a control system forproportioning the water and ice and the duration of contact between thewater and ice in the heat exchanger to produce the outflow of cooledheat exchanger water at a temperature of about 38° F. or below.
 37. Theapparatus of claim 27 including a control system for proportioning thewater and ice and the duration of contact between the water and ice inthe heat exchanger to produce the outflow of cooled heat exchanger waterat a temperature of about 36° F. or below.
 38. The apparatus of claim 27including a control system for proportioning the water and ice and theduration of contact between the water and ice in the heat exchanger toproduce a cooled, proportioned, mixed beverage at a temperature of about45° F. or below.
 39. The apparatus of claim 27 including a controlsystem for proportioning the water and ice and the duration of contactbetween the water and ice in the heat exchanger to produce a cooled,proportioned, mixed beverage at a temperature of about 40° F. or below.40. The apparatus of claim 27 including a control system forproportioning the water and ice and the duration of contact between thewater and ice in the heat exchanger to produce the outflow of cooledbeverage concentrate at a temperature of about 40° F. or below.
 41. Theapparatus of claim 27 including a control system for proportioning thewater and ice and the duration of contact between the water and ice inthe heat exchanger to produce the outflow of cooled beverage concentrateat a temperature of about 38° F. or below.
 42. The apparatus of claim32, wherein the carbonator is in heat exchange contact with the ice forkeeping the contents of the carbonator cool.
 43. The apparatus of claim29 including a carbonator for carbonating the outflow of cooled heatexchanger water and wherein the dispensing valve includes a plurality ofdispensing valves for controlling the dispensing of a plurality of cool,proportioned, mixed beverages and a manifold and individual conduits formanifolding the carbonated water from the carbonator to the plurality ofdispensing valves.
 44. The apparatus of claim 32 including a conduitbetween the carbonator and heat exchanger for recirculating carbonatedwater from the carbonator to the heat exchanger.
 45. The apparatus ofclaim 44 including an orifice for controlling the recirculatingcarbonated water.
 46. The apparatus of claim 27 including an ice storagebin communicable with the heat exchanger for supplying ice to the heatexchanger, a water inlet connected to the heat exchanger for supplyingwater to the heat exchanger, and an outlet connected to the heatexchanger for outflowing the cooled heat exchanger water.
 47. Theapparatus of claim 46 including a water valve sensor in the heatexchanger and a water inlet valve connected to the water level sensorand connected to the water inlet for maintaining a predetermined waterlevel in the heat exchanger.
 48. The apparatus of claim 46 including anice transfer connected to the ice storage bin and to the heat exchangerfor transferring ice from the bin to the heat exchanger.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 46 including a pump having an intake connected to thecooled heat exchanger water outlet for pumping and providing pressure tothe cooled heat exchanger water from the heat exchanger.
 50. Theapparatus of claim 49 including a carbonator connected to the pump forcarbonating cooled heat exchanger water delivered by the pump.
 51. Theapparatus of claim 50, wherein the carbonator is positioned in heatexchange contact with the ice for maintaining cold carbonated water inthe carbonator.
 52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the carbonator ispositioned in the tank of the heat exchanger in direct contact with thecooled heat exchanger water for maintaining cold carbonated water in thecarbonator.
 53. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the beverageconcentrate conduit is disposed within the tank of the heat exchanger indirect contact with the cooled heat exchanger water.
 54. The apparatusof claim 53, wherein the beverage concentrate conduit is an unencasedtube.
 55. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the beverage concentrateconduit is positioned to be prevented from directly contracting thecooled heat exchanger water produced in the tank.
 56. The apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the heat exchanger includes a second tank, and thebeverage concentrate conduit is positioned in the second tank of theheat exchanger to be disposed in direct contact with water and ice inthe second tank while preventing the water and ice in the second tankfrom mixing into the cooled heat exchanger water outflowed from thefirst tank of the heat exchanger.
 57. The apparatus of claim 27, whereinthe heat exchanger includes an additional tank, and a beverageconcentrate conduit is positioned in the additional tank of the heatexchanger to be disposed in direct contact with a portion of the cooledheat exchanger water cycled from the first tank to produce the outflowof cooled beverage concentrate.
 58. The apparatus of claim 56, whereinthe heat exchanger includes an additional tank, and a beverageconcentrate conduit is positioned in the additional tank of the heatexchanger to be disposed in direct contact with a portion of the cooledheat exchanger water cycled from the second tank to produce the outflowof cooled beverage concentrate.
 59. The apparatus of claim 58 furtherincluding a pump for recycling the portion of cooled heat exchangerwater from the additional tank back to the second tank so as to directlycontact the recycled portion of the cooled heat exchanger water with icefor continued cooling.